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A post shared by Lupus Research Alliance (@lupusresearchalliance) on Nov 22, 2017 at 6:00am PST

During her speech at the gala, Selena says, “I am really honoured to be here with all of you guys tonight, my Lupus community. As many of you know, or might now know, I was diagnosed with lupus about five or six years ago. I’ve been speaking out about my situation to raise awareness about the disease. After undergoing so many tests to monitor my kidneys my doctors told me I have lupus nephritis, one of those complications from lupus. They said I would be needing a kidney transplant.”

Also during her speech, Selena spoke about the moment her doctors advised that it was necessary to undergo a kidney transplant procedure, “Maybe I wasn’t necessarily really good at knowing what that meant so it actually got to a point where it was life-or-death. Thankfully, one of my best friends gave me her kidney and it was the ultimate gift of life. And I am doing quite well now.”

Back in October of 2015, it was Billboard who learned during an interview with Selena that she was diagnosed with lupus and at that moment, she was undergoing chemotherapy. A year later in August and after suffering from depression, panic attacks and even anxiety, Selena made the decision and took a break from her career. All problems stemmed from her Lupus diagnosis.

Months later, Selena made a comeback and returned to the 2016 American Music Awards stage and in September of 2017, Selena revealed on her Instagram page that she needed a kidney transplant during the summer and her best friend, Francia Raisa donated one of her kidneys.

During an interview on Today, Selena says, “At the end of the day, I think all the stuff that I went through made me and defined everything that I am right now. I think it’s a really beautiful thing, and I have to remind myself that it’s not a negative experience.”